November 1, 2016 | Alfonso Gonzalez-Francois

Art and the Acquired Taste: Exploring #Joanne

Don’t call it a comeback!

 

However after a two-year gap since her last studio album, Cheek to Cheek (2014) with Tony Bennett, Mother Monster has returned with a collection of songs sonically different from what those in her fanbase–and otherwise–are used to. Gone are the days of grunge beats and techno tinges…at least for now. Gaga has taken her music down a much more personal route, and it shows. Naming the album “Joanne” in and of itself was a good indicator of its artistic direction. Her late aunt’s name was Joanne, it is also Gaga’s legal middle name. This is emblematic of a stripping of sorts, and all those who even have ever seen Lady Gaga knows that she is a woman of multiple layers. While every facet of her persona, I believe, is authentically her, Gaga sans glitter, gleam and gimmick is Gaga in rare form. She is a woman of the theatre, it is present in her voice and in her style. However with this latest album, we get less of the shoulder pads and bedazzled embroidery and receive the jeans and T-shirt. And it is very refreshing.

 

Diva in Development…

The sounds produced and recorded for Joanne are also very telling of artistic direction. Strings cascade from nearly every track, taking us away from the nightclubs of fast-paced cities and plop us right in the heart of a rowdy rock & roll bar centered in a rural town, or on the back of a big, burly, bearded man’s Harley-Davidson. That’s it. Rock & roll. A genre of music Gaga has always credited as one of her favorites, from which many a musician whence her inspiration was drawn comes from. The rock & roll hinted on past tracks like “MANiCURE” from ARTPOP (2013) or “Electric Chapel” from Born This Way (2011) differ from the simplicity which Gaga presents so well on her new album. It has been present in her music always, nonetheless. So it is only right for her to bare her heart and soul through her music on her most idiosyncratic body of work yet.

 

As The Advocate…

My most favorite quality about Lady Gaga is the use of that voice and platform of hers, on and offstage. Her role as an ally to the underrepresented minority communities of society makes her star shine so bright. An immediate favorite from all the tracks is “Angel Down”, simply because of its message and intended audience. Written in response to the unforgettable murder of Trayvon Martin, she croons, “Shots were fired on the street/ By the church where we used to meet/ Angel down, angel down/ But the people just stood around”. As a public figure with opinions on society, she has always been well equipped, armed passion and knowledge. She speaks on police brutality with said passion and knowledge in an interview with Zane Lowe of Beats 1 Radio:

 

“[There is an] epidemic of young African Americans being murdered in this country. I was overwhelmed by the fact that people just stood around and didn’t do anything about it, and that the justice system continues to, over and over again, not seek justice for these families…”

 

And while a hater will always argue the “for publicity” theory, there is no doubt in my mind the sincerity of her position on topics like police brutality and LGBTQ rights. Do your research.

 

Then There’s Criticism…

I think because majority of Gaga’s past songs that have had the most traction were dance tracks, fans and non-fans alike were generally taken aback by Joanne. The feel-good essence is still there, however the idea of what Lady Gaga may be trying to pursue with this new album may have went way over the heads of listeners. Still, whether you consider LG5–the nickname for Gaga’s fifth studio album–to show growth or lack thereof, she’s taking a chance on her fans by offering music so connected to her core. You’d have to be willing to connect with the music itself to understand.

 

What I do anticipate is Gaga’s live performances, more importantly, the next tour. She has exemplified spectacular showmanship, marrying her theatre background with her unique vocals while performing her hits. My expectations haven’t wavered since this Joanne. I’m excited to see what creative concepts she draws up and what new ways she can WOW her audience. No matter what, I know she’ll deliver.

 

Listen to Joanne on Apple Music.

 

Original Blog Post Here